With 2024 almost upon us, everyone across the Transpennine Route
Upgrade (TRU) team would like to extend their gratitude to
passengers for their support during what has been a
ground-breaking year for the programme.
From the construction of platforms and footbridges to the laying
of new track, or major signalling upgrades to the installation of
drainage, the Transpennine Route Upgrade is firmly on track to
deliver more frequent, faster trains on a cleaner, greener, more
reliable railway.
As well as significant milestones being reached on railway
infrastructure works, our approach to diversity and
sustainability has seen unprecedented success as the
implementation of Our Guiding Compass allowed
us to take huge strides in improving the lives of millions of
people across the North.
TRU's 2023 Journey:
- January: Completion of planned route-wide upgrades by
engineers over the New Year period.
- February: The construction of platform foundations and the
realignment of track in Morley, moving passengers one step closer
to a fully accessible station.
- March: Completion of a 26-day closure in Stalybridge which
saw a full junction remodelling, signalling upgrades and platform
work, increasing the reliability of services through the area in
the future.
- April: Participation in the North West ‘Women in Rail’ event,
helping to promote diversity, inclusion and career
opportunities.
- May: Introduction of TRU’s sustainability strategy, "Our
Guiding Compass," aimed at improving lives across the
North.
- June: Round-the-clock engineering work at Morley which
involved the construction of new platforms, demolition of the old
ones, the installation of a new footbridge and a complete
signalling re-control to our York operating Centre.
- July: Awarded an "Excellent" rating by BREEAM (Building
Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) for
the Leeds Station Capacity Project.
- August: Launch of the TRUST Centre in Huddersfield by Rail
Minister , marking a significant step
in rail safety.
- September: The celebration of 'Routes to Roots: A Platform
for Art' initiative, showcasing artwork created by students at
Greenfield Station.
- October: Staff on the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade helped
residents in Sheffield stem the flow of flood waters by moving
ballast bags in place, as Storm Babet swept through the UK.
- November: Installation of an overheard gantry and 3km of high
voltage cables through the deep Marsh Lane Cutting between Leeds
and Neville Hill.
- December: A £3.9 billion funding boost, ensuring the
progression of key work in 2024 and beyond.
Neil Holm, Managing Director for TRU said,
"I’m immensely proud of the work that has taken place this
year and the milestones that we have achieved however, we
wouldn’t have been able to complete this without the support of
passengers, stakeholders and local communities. Together, we
paved the way for an even more promising year next year and I’d
like to extend my thanks to everyone involved in this major
programme of work. We look forward to seeing what 2024 has
to offer, allowing us to transform rail travel across the
North."
Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director at TransPennine
Express, said: “2023 has been a crucial year in our
mission to make rail journeys across the North faster, greener,
and more reliable. These major upgrades have impacted our
services, and we would like to thank our customers for their
understanding and patience, as we work together with our
colleagues across the rail industry to transform the railways in
the North.”
